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Archive | November 2016

The election is over – and there are many people cheering and others who mourn the results and have great fear in their hearts. I am sure that, among the people here at In The Garden, we have people on both sides of that emotional line, and those who don’t think they are affected at all. Politics has a way of emphasizing our differences while ignoring all those things we have in common.

With the election of Donald Trump, and yes, he was elected by the people no matter what anyone says, certain people who have felt unheard, neglected, marginalized and demeaned have seen this as permission to speak and act in ways that are socially unacceptable. But Trump gave his followers permission; he is quoted as saying:

“For the most part you can’t respect people,” he has said, “because most people aren’t worthy of respect.”

And this is what that kind of rhetoric has spawned.

African Americans have been approached by people who ask ‘How do you like being a N* again’? Most of us cannot understand that depth of hatred in these people; we had assumed that we had come pass that. Obviously, we have not.

Swastikas have been painted on synagogues and racial slurs like ‘kike’ and ‘Jesus killer’ have been shouted to people coming out of temple. And there is a row of swastikas on the bridge here in Clintonville. . . in our own city!

Latino children in Michigan were attacked by a hooligan gang of white kids, beaten up and told they were not welcome at school or in the country while chanting ‘build the wall’. I have a friend with a six year old boy, who, having heard Trump threaten to deport all Mexicans, asked his father the day after the election if his little Mexican buddy would be at school – children do not understand that campaign promises are not instantly implemented the day after an election.

We have a huge group of this melting pot we call America who now fear for their lives. The Muslim community, who live peacefully and contribute to our nation, are afraid. One of the Muslim students who provides sack lunches for In the Garden was verbally attacked on the bus by two men saying: “I can’t wait until Trump takes office and we can kill ‘all of them.” His friend said, “I can’t wait until we can take that scarf around her neck and strangle her.”

God is NOT a supporter of hatred, bigotry, sexism, homophobia. We must remember, that these people are also God’s children. We must respect their right to express themselves, whether they act in a civil or uncivil manner. It is possible to respect the dignity of every human being while refusing to participate in our own oppression.

We, as marginalized people, and I count myself among them, must rise above the gutter and show that we will not allow ourselves to be further pushed down by society. As Michelle Obama said: ‘If they take the low road, we must take the high road’. Remember, no one can make us feel inferior without our consent. We need to stiffen our backbone and stand tall and not let ourselves buy into their definition of who and what we are

As scripture says:

I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 5:39)

It is not going to be easy, but for most of us, life has never been easy. We must continue to persevere, wrapped in the knowledge that we are all children of God, beloved children of God. Jesus told us

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, (Matthew 5:11-12)

We can only pray that things will get better soon; that calmer and more civil heads will prevail. . . that Americans will return to the concept of being one united country. But until it does, we need to remember that we are not put on this earth to sow seeds of dissent, but to love one another and live our lives according to the teachings and example of Jesus. We are to

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

But we cannot sit passively by as injustice reigns. We can and must fight against the rhetoric and acts of injustice in peaceful ways. We need to be vigilant and stand firm and speak out against acts of verbal and physical violence. Find a group that you can join, and work to make America the inclusive melting pot we are supposed to be!

Let us pray:

Gracious Creator, we are hurting. I ask that you help us overcome the evil that enslaves us. The evil the promotes hate of all forms. Help us to see Christ in all people and accept Love over hate. Amen.

Delivered at In The Garden, Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square, Columbus, OH; 13 November 2016

The campaigning and election is finally over – and there are people rejoicing and people fearing for their lives as they know them. Every election always has a winner and a loser, people who are happy and those who are depressed. But this election has splintered the fabric of America, torn it asunder in a way that no foreign enemy has ever been able to do.

The President-Elect, if he follows through with the campaign rhetoric, will further divide the country into those who have, those who want what others have, and those who could lose everything. In his acceptance speech, he said he wanted to unite us and ‘Make America Great Again’. Only time will tell whether he really intends to unite or further divide.

But one thing is sure: there were a lot of people out there hurting economically and socially and they have spoken. Now we all must deal with this. We could riot (as was suggested by some factions of the reigning party), we can cry and moan, or we can do something; something that will further the values that were established when the country was founded – an inclusive, accepting country that welcomes all, nourishes them and gives them an opportunity for ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’.

This election must cause us to look at these problems as “our” problems, not the “government’s” problems or “someone else’s” problems. We can no longer passively sit on our hands, read about the problems, become somewhat concerned, and then NOT DO anything about them. If we do not act, what we are part of the problem; we must be part of the solution.

We need to love more – more radically, more intensely – and especially love everyone we currently view as our enemy. We must pray for radical changes of heart, in their hearts and in our hearts. We must be that light that darkness cannot overcome.

No matter the results of the election, remember, regardless of who wins,

there will still be poverty to meet with generosity.

there will still be hunger to meet with food.

there will still be violence to meet with peace.

there will still be hatred to meet with love.

there will still be sorrow to meet with empathy….

there will still be pain to meet with compassion.

there will still be fear to meet with understanding.

there will still be frustration to meet with patience.

there will still be hurt to meet with forgiveness.

there will still be sin to meet with reconciliation.

there will still be joy to meet with celebration.

there will still be Good News to meet with a willingness to share.

there will still be signs of God’s presence to meet with open hearts.

there will still be a world to meet with the light of Christ shining from within.

there will still be God’s Mission to meet with the grace to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

“Regardless of who wins, we still need a plan to be the light of Jesus. We need a plan to

love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31).

We need a plan to offer hope to the hurting and peace to the suffering.”[1]

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Written for The Crossroads, Saint John’s Episcopal Church and Parts Adjacent, Worthington, OH; 10 November 2016